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I have to disagree with those statistics (Score:2, Insightful)
by Froid on Thursday September 21, @11:51AM EDT
(#75)
(User #235187 Info)
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Katz cites a range of "27%-50%", but from my own experience, it's really more like "40%-60%". I was hired by one of the smaller Fortune 500 companies to do some consulting on company morale, and that's the range I came up with, but it's interesting what methodology I had to use.
You see, you can't do regular survey work when looking for these data -- employees either don't bother to fill them out, or they do fill them out but lie, hoping to kiss up to management or simply not jeopardize their jobs.
You might think you could just measure attendance at these events. But people do have good reasons for not coming, like busy personal lives or kids to drive to soccer games, etc. And measuring attendance at alcohol-laced cocktail parties on Fridays doesn't help either, since most people do stop by on their way out, for a quick beer if nothing else.
So, we had to come up with a unique methodology to implement. And I bet you'll never guess what we used: bathroom breaks. We installed cameras in the ir-activation mechanisms on those automatic toilets the company had installed two years previously, and we cross-matched bathroom-goers with the company facebook. It turns out, so-called "corporate isolates" are more likely to take frequent bathroom breaks, where they can escape the banter of coworkers (and decrease productivity at the same time). Like I said, the range came out to about "40%-60%", and needless to say, management was not pleased.
An interesting footnote, though, was the number of managers who also fit the profile according to our methodology. You'd think they'd be more likely to interact with others, being managers and all, but you'd be mistaken.
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<<Access to Information != Not Isolated by carlos_benj (Score:2)
| But in that IBM commercial... by Katravax (Score:2)
>>
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Moderation Totals:Insightful=1, Total=1. |
Re:I have to disagree with those statistics (Score:2)
by jajuka on Thursday September 21, @04:25PM EDT
(#179)
(User #75616 Info)
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So, we had to come up with a unique methodology to implement. And I bet you'll never guess what we used:
bathroom breaks. We installed cameras in the ir-activation mechanisms on those automatic toilets the company
had installed two years previously, and we cross-matched bathroom-goers with the company facebook. It turns
out, so-called "corporate isolates" are more likely to take frequent bathroom breaks, where they can escape the
banter of coworkers (and decrease productivity at the same time). Like I said, the range came out to about
"40%-60%", and needless to say, management was not pleased.
Apparently it never occured to you that there are
as many legitimate reasons for frequent bathroom visits as there are for skipping company picnics.
Think medical. Think caffiene. Those are just
2 examples. And perhaps it's just me, but I find I get MUCH more work done when I'm isolated in my cube, than when I'm trapped in a hall listening to the drivel of the company gossip mongers.
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Re:I have to disagree with those statistics (Score:1)
by Capt_Troy on Thursday September 21, @12:21PM EDT
(#93)
(User #60831 Info)
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I take frequent bathroom breaks too, but that's cause I drink water all the time. And all I know is there better not be any cameras in our facilities!
Why couldn't you use a counter or something? I think it's an invasion of privacy to install cameras in the toilets! Are you looking for a lawsuit or something?
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Re:I have to disagree with those statistics (Score:1)
by Froid on Thursday September 21, @12:49PM EDT
(#112)
(User #235187 Info)
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I think it's an invasion of privacy to install cameras in the toilets!
Perhaps, but what they don't know can't hurt them.
Are you looking for a lawsuit or something?
Actually, this is the funny part: that we're immune. You know those fine-legal-print documents all employees have to sign before starting? That company wisely inserted a clause about "conducting information-gathering for occupational-research purposes".
Cheers,
Froido
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Re:I have to disagree with those statistics (Score:1)
by mlepovic on Thursday September 21, @01:07PM EDT
(#126)
(User #197411 Info)
http://www.cyberchick.org
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Wow, maybe your employees are so alienated
because the of the Orwellian tactics of
your company. I know I would quit instantly
if I ever learned that a company I worked for
installed cameras in the bathroom!!
Michelle
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Re:I have to disagree with those statistics (Score:1)
by gaudior on Thursday September 21, @01:30PM EDT
(#142)
(User #113467 Info)
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Nice Troll. Well Done. -- Too many freaks, Not enough circuses
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Re:I have to disagree with those statistics (Score:1)
by Froid on Thursday September 21, @01:41PM EDT
(#149)
(User #235187 Info)
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I wouldn't respond to you, but I'm afraid my silence would be interpreted as tacit consent.
What right do you have to declare me a troll? Judging from your user.pl page, you haven't posted much lately, but you specifically took the time out of (what's hopefully) a busy day at work and levied this accusation against me. I can't decide whether you're merely mistaken (as you are, empirically speaking) or actually malicious in your libel. If it's the latter, then you, sir are the worst kind of troll.
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Re:I have to disagree with those statistics (Score:1)
by birder on Thursday September 21, @01:32PM EDT
(#143)
(User #61402 Info)
http://www.kanjischool.com
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That's the most foolish thing I've ever heard. You ever drink coffee at work?
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Re:I have to disagree with those statistics (Score:1)
by Peter Dyck on Thursday September 21, @02:00PM EDT
(#154)
(User #201979 Info)
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escape the banter of coworkers (and decrease productivity at the same time
I personally avoid all banter with my coworkers. Firstly, I hate it. Secondly, it decreases productivity.
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You have got to be kidding (Score:1)
by Paleolithic on Thursday September 21, @02:48PM EDT
(#163)
(User #148678 Info)
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Your methodology was measuring bathroom breaks? The only thing that measures is who takes a lot of bathroom breaks -- it says nothing else about the person in question.
Isolates might just be the ones who, while others are chatting, are actually getting work done. While you were taking pictures of people in the bathroom, the isolates were probably getting work done.
But again you were kidding I am sure??
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Re:I have to disagree with those statistics (Score:1)
by krypteia on Thursday September 21, @03:48PM EDT
(#173)
(User #204182 Info)
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bwhahahahaahhaahhaha....that is the best troll ever. how many "puckered starfish" did you see comning in, and how do you match those with the employee catalog!!!! look bob, that guy is all puckered and wrinkley too, and he looks just like the manager also!!! yeah tom, that guy must be a real asshole! "He who would sacrafice essential liberty to buy momentary safety, deserves neither saftey nor liberty." Ben Frankilin |
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